12/5/2024, 11:13 PM
![[Image: tumblr-7f82976b6f0737e4858fc1d3e6600064-...f-540.webp]](https://i.postimg.cc/QtHHdJNF/tumblr-7f82976b6f0737e4858fc1d3e6600064-40de92af-540.webp)
Paywall, indeed. The sliver of canine silver slunk to her paws, movements animated and fluid despite her injuries - in spite of them, it seemed. The woman danced closer, and Silvercreek arched a brow and allowed her to close the distance. She smelled sweet and floral, not what he was expecting underneath the tang of her own blood mixed with the foul musk of coyote.
She could try to snap up the flowers and run, but they both knew she'd only earn a faceful of the Silvercreek's fangs for it.
She made no move for his bargaining chip, though, only circled Silver as if sizing him up. She delicately sniffed at the fine strands of his silky coat, before meeting his eyes with her own owlish, unsettling gaze. Silver found he wasn't sure what to expect next from the sprite - but did not find that trait offputting. She was a pretty thing, he decided, although his particular taste for another individual hadn't really factored into what partners he pursued or avoided in the past. He wasn't going to be led astray or weakened by lurid scarlet eyes batting their lashes at him - or even peering into his sage irises like she was very vaguely considering what he'd look like dissected like the damn coyote.
I'm no good at deciding, the woman began. Silver hmmed evenly in his chest, acknowledging the statement but encouraging her to continue. He was sure she was not finished; she was clever, and she needed the herbs he now possessed. The waif wouldn't leave it there, and she didn't - Silvercreek's brows arched a bit more as she spoke, a mild-mannered but mischievous smirk curving at his lips.
Oh, my. Had I known what kind of thrilling menu could be summoned with the offer of a few flowers, I might have gathered a better stockpile.Her comment about secrets had visibly piqued the man's interest - he didn't need that currency to pay his way through the hell he'd found himself in once, but old habits were hard to break, and he liked having power over others. Physical was enjoyable enough - it was the gossamer spider-strings of manipulation weaving one into a trap that he'd truly excelled in the art of, though.
Decisions, decisions...What do you think of this, darling: I will tend your wounds, and then I will ask three questions. You will answer with honesty. When you have answered my questions three, little lady, we shall have no further debt to one another.The Silvercreek's eyes glinted with an unveiled glee, the contract hanging spoken into the air between them with the coiled tension of a cat about to pounce. His plumy tail curled at the end, a mild tilt to his head betraying an almost boyish playfulness amongst the otherness predatory energy he'd introduced to the moment.